What is the primary purpose of patent claims?

The primary purpose of patent claims is to define the scope of the invention for which protection is sought, thereby establishing the legal boundaries of the patent rights. When a patent is granted, the claims articulate the specific features or aspects of the invention that are considered novel and non-obvious. This legal articulation serves to exclude others from making, using, selling, or distributing the patented invention without permission from the patent holder, thus providing the inventor with a form of intellectual property protection.

The claims function as a legal contract between the patentee and the public, detailing exactly what the inventor is claiming ownership of. By precisely outlining the invention, claims ensure that others can identify the limitations of the patent and understand what actions may be infringing. This aspect is vital for safeguarding the inventor’s rights and incentivizing innovation by granting temporary exclusivity in exchange for public disclosure of the invention.

In contrast, while providing a summary of the invention, detailing the inventor’s background, or submitting evidence of prior art may be relevant to other parts of the patent application or the patenting process, they do not fulfill the primary function of the patent claims.